An Iranian-born Israeli citizen suspected of spying for Iran was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport on May 8. Details were revealed on Sunday after the suspect was served an indictment at the Tel Aviv Magistrates Court . The charges include contacts with foreign agents, relaying information to an enemy state and fraudulently obtaining goods.
The charge sheet states that the suspect agreed to cooperate with Iranian intelligence agents and supply them with information regarding details of Israelis who work in the defense establishment. According to details released for publication, the suspect lived for a time in Istanbul and said he visited the Iranian consulate a number of times in 2006.
Michal Orkaby, the suspect's lawyer told reporters that her client has not lived in Israel for a number of years and at no time revealed information that could harm State security.
This is not the first time that Israelis suspected pf spying on behalf of Iran have been arrested by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Service). Due to the phenomenon and attempts by Iran to recruit Israelis to their cause, Shin Bet officials said it is monitoring the trend closely, noting that Israelis who have families living in Iran are often pressured to work for the Iranian intelligence.
Last November, Dr. David Shamir of Givatayim, an IDF reservist officer with the rank of major, who serves as a psychiatrist in the IDF medical corps was charged with espionage at the Tel Aviv District Court for allegedly offering his services to Iran, Russia and Hamas
In April last year, The Shin Bet revealed the recent arrest of an Israeli Jew, who was recruited by the Iranian Intelligence to supply information on Israel in exchange for sums of money. At the time sources in the Shin Bet, told Infolive.tv, that in the past two years, ten people were detained for questioning but released after it was found that they had not committed any offense that harmed Israel's security.
The sources said that in 2006, Iranian intelligence officials escalated their efforts to recruit Israelis, taking advantage of the rise in the number of Israelis who visit Iran.
The methods or tactics used by Iranian intelligence to recruit spys focus on targetting Israelis of Iranian descent who travel to Iran. and often apply for entry permits at the Iranian consulate in Turkey. There, they undergo intensive questioning by Iranian intelligence officials inside the consulate. They are questioned about family members, political and social issues in Israel.
Due to the circumstances they find themselves in, the Israelis often try to seek advice from the Iranian consul officials in Turkey, or other local officials who supposedly try to "save" them from the Iranian intelligence officials, by establishing friendly ties with them. Once arriving in Iran, the pressure tactics continue, and the Israelis are barred from leaving the country until the intelligence officials complete exhaustive inquiries.
When the Israelis return home, they are contacted by the officials who supposedly helped them, and are asked to supply information or recruit others to the cause.05/25/08
Margot Dudkevitch
Infolive.tv
| Title | Time | Category | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
